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How do you choose a good intermediate violin without spending too much?
My son is ready to move up to a 4/4 but there are few music stores in our area and the selection of violins is very limited. We don’t like the idea of buying on the internet but we may not have a choice. The local store is offering only $250 for my son’s Scherl & Roth 3/4 that was $650 just 2 years ago (still in new condition) and they want $750 for a 4/4 Meisel 6110. Unfortunately the store that sold the Scherl & Roth has closed down. How to you know when you are looking at a quality violin? The Meisel just doesn’t seem to me to be as nice. The other violins (all Meisel) that are in the lower price ranges ($350 to $650) only have one fine tuner. My son said that isn’t as good as having 4. I have seen more expensive violins with only 1 so why are they not as good? We do have an offer of $400 for the 3/4 violin so we will probably take that and then we will need a replacment fast? What websites are legit??
I’m a violin teacher, and here’s what I suggest–
Try looking for a violin on www.swstrings.com or www.sharmusic.com. They’re both really reputable online strings dealers, with wide selections and price ranges. I think they both have consultant people you can call and tell what you’re looking for, who can then advise you what would work best from their store. It’s hard to know whether or not a violin is good if you’re not yourself experience with one, but I would say the most important parts are that the pegs adjust smoothly and don’t slip, that the strings are quality strings (something you can change later if you need to, of course), that the bow is comfortable and MOST importantly, that the sound is pleasant to your son. It’s really best if possible for you to take the instruments you’re thinking about buying to his teacher and have the teacher try them out. And try out a few so you have something to compare all of them to.
As for the fine tuners, don’t worry about the violins that only have one. Tuners are really cheap (only a couple dollars) and easy for a teacher or the music store to install on a violin that might not have all four to start out with. The main reason some only have one is that more advanced players don’t always need all four because they have enough practice tuning using only the pegs. However, for younger students, fine tuners are VERY helpful. So don’t let the number of tuners affect your decision much– but if you get a violin with only one, just buy three more and have them put on the instrument later.
Good luck!
